The Harbor Theater is an interesting theater to keep an eye. It closed in January of 2012 long before there was a lack of films because of digital problem. This is one of Slap's old clients which I take from past posts owed him money before they closed. Also interesting in that they only came up with enough money for one out of two digital conversions. How many of you besides Bob would have recommended them to do that?

There still has been no official announcement from any of the studios of an exact drop-dead date for 35mm. It's certainly dying, it's certainly more difficult to deal with booking 35mm than it was just two years ago, especially if you are looking for 35mm prints off-the-break.

This is my outlook: None of the studios wants to be the first to be labeled as putting the little guys out of business. They are doing everything they can to maintain dual distribution for as long as it is economically feasible, perhaps even a little longer than they should, just to avoid the negative public relations that will occur when a drop dead date for 35mm is finally announced. Both Technicolor and Deluxe have made substantial changes to how they distribute 35mm, to make it as economical as possible to maintain dual inventory for as long as possible.

That being said, there will be a day when a major studio will announce they are no longer distributing new movies in 35mm. It's been only 14 years since the first movie was played in theatres on a digital projector, so another year or two of limited 35mm print availability would not be surprising, so long as it remains economically feasible for the studio. Obtaining those few 35mm prints will get progressively more and more difficult, though, until it would clearly be bad for business to hold out on obtaining a digital projector. That time is probably already behind us, anyway.

Rick

"As long as there are sunsets and stars at night, there will always be drive-in movies."

I agree with you Rick. But be careful about becoming another target for Jack.

I agree with Rick and what he says is in sync with my beliefs.

Will next summer's movie be available on film? Probably to some extent but there will be very few prints. Plan on being patient.

Should an operator make their business plan based on that film will be available next summer? Rick can answer that but it seems he is saying "no".

Rick says "Obtaining those few 35mm prints will get progressively more and more difficult, though, until it would clearly be bad for business to hold out on obtaining a digital projector. That time is probably already behind us, anyway."

Which is different than your opinions on the subject Bob. Bob to be clear on this: If someone was to consider re-opening a closed theater or starting a new theater....would you encourage them to open with film projection only with the opinion that film will be around for a while?

not on a bet... but if you had an existing 35 mm system , and I do currently, you can open in small towns the biggest pics currently,. That will change as some point in the near future. New or old owners have to be ready to move when the time, the final notice, closing time, last call.... comes. And it surely will. Digital is easier and simpler and takes less effort in so many ways. But... can you wait like Jack and Rose in Titanic? Be the very last two people standing on the stern rail as the big 35 MM ship goes down? Or would you rather plan for the future? Yes you can hold out as long as you can or you can plan and make the switch and do what you were supposed to do: show movies.

Last week I got in a 35 mm print of Pacific Rim, I opened first run Planes and had to fight off Smurfs, this week we open Conjuring....all in 35MM. And it isn't the lowest grossing theatre on the planet but it is what it is. So...there are 35mm's still out there and no one has yet to say... THAT IS IT! NO MORE! IT IS OVER! But stay patient...THE END IS NEAR!

Which is different than your opinions on the subject Bob. Bob to be clear on this: If someone was to consider re-opening a closed theater or starting a new theater....would you encourage them to open with film projection only with the opinion that film will be around for a while?

If the theatre is fully equipped with 35mm I believe they would get by for a year or two while they work on financing for digital.

and this summer we opened in 35 mm Despic Me 2, Lone Ranger, Monsters, Fast 6, Iron Man, Star Trek, Man O Steel... so it is not dead yet.... the availability argues that it is at leat around until next summer. There will be some warning. It will not be an abrupt end.

Latest prediction for when film will be gone?
14 Aug 2013 12:53 #40229

I guess I'd like to hear if anybody is having problems getting 35MM prints either on the break or after. Anybody?

I know when I was contemplating going digital in my single screen way back in 2009 I was having some trouble getting the movies I wanted on 35MM, I'd hear things like; "Well, if you were digital there would be no problem getting that movie but with 35MM there just isn't one available". Granted, rural Iowa is not the movie capital of the world, but still, it's what I heard on more than one occasion.

It seems to me that the toughest times to be getting 35MM on the break (and after) is going to be soon, like this fall. Anybody getting titles like Kick Ass 2 or Paranoia in 35MM without any problems?